Kysucké Nové Mesto: Hotels, historic town center and hiking trails

The historic town center of Kysucké Nové Mesto is considered the only preserved historic complex in the Kysuce region. Together with the religious buildings, the preserved burgher houses and the paths into the surrounding landscape, it forms a place where urban history and nature meet within a closely interconnected thematic area.

Geographical location

Kysucké Nové Mesto lies at the lower end of the Kysuca river course, on the border between the Javorníky and the Kysucká vrchovina, north of Žilina. This location connects the town with the landscapes of both mountain ranges and provides the geographical framework for the routes described toward Ľadonhora, Tábor and Veľký Vreteň.

Culture

The historic square of Kysucké Nové Mesto has a square layout, with streets radiating from its corners. The houses on the square were built in the 17th century and feature arcades. At the center stands a sandstone statue of Saint John of Nepomuk dating from 1761. Belanského Street also contains houses from the first half of the 17th century with Baroque alterations.

Near the historic square stands the Gothic parish church of St. James from the 13th century, which has remnants of fortifications. It is dedicated to Saint James, the patron saint of the town. The Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary is a Neoclassical church and was completed in 1817. At 4 Jesenského Street stands a two-story brewery building dating approximately from 1650 to 1670; remnants of Renaissance sgraffito have been preserved there.

Living and visual culture also have their place here. The tradition of Jakubovské hody has continued from 1666 to the present day. The private Muška Gallery presents works by the academic painter Pavol Muška as well as a selection of contemporary Slovak art in solo exhibitions by artists. Until further notice, no excursions, guided tours with commentary or observations of the daytime or nighttime sky are taking place at the Kysucká hvezdáreň in Kysucké Nové Mesto.

Nature

At the northern edge of Kysucké Nové Mesto grows a protected small-leaved lime tree that is over 300 years old and can be reached on foot. The Ľadonhora and Steny area is a state nature reserve. Veľký Vreteň is another state nature reserve. Because of the steep ascent and nature protection regulations, the route described there is not suitable for skiing or cycling.

Hiking and trails

A longer hiking route leads from Kysucké Nové Mesto via Budatínska Lehota, Pod Poľanou, Poľana Steny and Holý vrch to Ľadonhora at an elevation of 1,000 meters and onward to Horný Vadičov, Kubaščíkovci. It is 13 kilometers long, climbs 750 meters in elevation, is considered moderately difficult and takes approximately five hours.

The route from Kysucké Nové Mesto via Radoľa to Veľký Vreteň at an elevation of 821 meters and back is 8 kilometers long, climbs 450 meters in elevation, is considered moderately difficult and takes approximately three and a half hours. Another 8-kilometer route leads from Kysucké Nové Mesto via the protected lime tree in Kysucké Nové Mesto, the Škorčie holiday settlement and Šerkov to Tábor. It is considered an easy hike and takes two hours.

The forest road on Tábor is used by cross-country skiers and is also suitable for walkers and mountain bikers. Since 2015, a 14-meter-high, four-story wooden observation tower has stood on the summit of Tábor.

History

The Radoľa manor house is one of the oldest cultural monuments in Kysuce; its oldest part dates to the third quarter of the 16th century. Near Radoľa, the Koscelisko archaeological site preserves the foundations of a masonry church that existed approximately from 1270 to 1429. Since 1983, the manor house has housed a permanent exhibition of the Kysucký múzeum in Čadca; it was partially reinstalled in 2002.

Other places

Other places: Rudina, Rudinka.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Kysucké Nové Mesto.